Improvement in aging spirits and alcoholic liquors



J. L. MARTIN. Aging Spirits and Alooholio Liquors.

No. 222,293. Patented Dec. 2, i879.

WITNESSES INVENTEIR UNITED STATES PATENT, OFF-Ion.

"Josnrrt LLOYD MARTIN, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN AGING SPIRITS AND ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,293, dated December 2, 1879 application filed November 6, 1879.

to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification, in which-' Figure I shows a perspective view of the operating-tank used incarrying out my invention 5 Fig. II, a similar view of a series of plati- I I nized plates usedin the tank; andFigs. III and 1V, detail views of suitable galvanic batteries used, which may be as shown or of any equivalent pattern.

The-object of the invention is to age, change, or modify fresh or recently-distilled alcoholic liquors, such as whisky, brandy, gin, rum, and the like, or fermented spirits, such as wine, cider, beer, 85c.

This aging or changing has heretofore generally been effected by the gradual influence of the air operating upon the casks or tanks through a long time, sometimes with the aid of agitation and heat. It has been hastened by artificial aeration, by the aid of various chemicals, and in some instances by the aid of a current of electricity.

My present invention consists in effecting the change, alteration, or modification known as aging by means of the imponderable I tween which areto beinserted diaphragms B of platinized carbon, platinum black spongy platinum, or other metallic substance holding platinum black, 1as shown in Fig. II. The

platinized or catalytic plates Bare held by clamps m, and connected, so as to form a series correspondingwith the cells in the tank A, bya wooden bar, H. Conducting-wires h from each plate lead to one of the poles of a .galvanic battery or electrical machiue, such as shown in Figs. III and IV, the separate galvanic cells being marked 0, and the battery 0. V The other pole of the battery is connected by wires h with the metallic walls of tank A. Y

I have not described in detail the construction of the galvanic battery, as this'may be of any ordinary construction, such as used for telegraphing or electroplating, and forms no part of my invention, except as used in combiuation with the other agencies herein described.

Any electrical apparatus may be used which will cause a sufficient current .to flow to effect the object in a reasonable time.

I have not described the platinized or catalytic plates, as they also are Well known and are not of my invention.

Into tank A is emptied recently-distilled liquor before establishing the electric circuit. The ends of the copper diaphragms are permanently attached to the long sides of the tank and reach to within an inch or two of the bottom of the tank. The carbon, platinum-black, or platinized diaphragins are raised from the tank or cistern when the battery is not in action, to be lowered into the liquor when the electric current is establishedin the tank.

The raising or lowering of the diaphragms may be accomplished by any of the known" means or arrangements, such as Windlass, cogwheels, &c. The catalytic effect is accomplished by submersion or contact with the liquor of any of the well-known catalysin g agents,

spongy platinum, platinum-black, or others which are not injurious to liquors under treatment.

The diaphragms here shown in Fig. II represent platinum-black, and serve as an electrode of the battery, as well as developing catalytic action.

I do not claim to be the. first inventor of a process for aging or rectifying alcoholic liquors, as I am aware that many inventions for this purpose already exist. Neither do I claim to be the inventor of a process by which electricity alone is used, as I am also aware that this has been known and used; but I do claim specifically to be the inventor of a process or method by which, with the aid of electricity and catalysing agents, I can change, alter, or modify fresh or recently-distilled whisky, brandy, gin, wine, or any other alcoholic liquors, so as to render them essentially the same as if they had lain in casks for years, and thus become modified by age.

In my newly-invented process there need be no chemicals or deleterious substance added to the liquors undergoing modification, as is the case in other processes. The desired results are obtained in a much more expeditious manner, and the expense attendant upon machinery and in op'eratin g is much less than in other processes.

In operating or conducting my process or method, I do not confine myself to the exact form or construction of apparatus, as set forth, or laid down in the drawings, for it is obvious that the same or similar results may be obtained with other forms of apparatus without changing the principles of application or action.

vcatalytic plates, B, arranged to fit between the diaphragms a, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the tank A and connecting-wire h with the platinized plates B and wires h, connecting the opposite poles of a galvanic battery, respectively, with the walls of the body of the tank and the catalytic plates, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of November, 1879.

JOS. LLOYD MARTIN.

Witnesses:

BARTRAM ZEVELY, G. J. HEDRIOK. 

